There are a lot of moving parts that make a community like Kyabram tick, and this year all the pieces were working in full force to make sure 2024 was a year unlike any other.
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From electing a new council to embracing ongoing development and events, 2024 saw our communities unite, taking significant strides towards a brighter future for our towns.
The Free Press sat down with Kyabram Development Group chair Tania Chiswell to discuss the development of the past year and what to expect for the next 12 months.
The group welcomed fresh faces this year, blending youthful energy with seasoned experience to bring innovative perspectives to community projects.
This youthful enthusiasm contributed to numerous projects, including the long-awaited Breen Ave development, which finally opened on September 16 after 11 years of anticipation.
The 1.78km dual walking and cycling track hit bumps in the road awaiting permission from VicTrack to build the path parallel to the railway tracks.
“(The Breen Ave walking track) was a real highlight from this year because it has been in development for so long,” Ms Chiswell said.
She also said another highlight for the year was the 2024 Tastes and Tunes event.
Once a year, towards the end of summer, Kyabram’s CBD is transformed into a vibrant festival celebrating the best of home-grown talent, products and delectable food from local businesses.
Tastes and Tunes is organised by a subcommittee of the development group, and members work all year round to book the sponsors, talent, businesses interested in running stalls and food trucks that make the event what it is.
“It takes (the committee members) 40 minutes to get from one side of the festival to the other because we just keep getting stopped by people we know,” Ms Chiswell said.
“It’s always a great event to showcase the best of the best in Kyabram.”
2024 also saw communities banding together and fighting for what they believe is right for their towns.
In July, the Kyabram Deakin Residents and Ratepayers Development Group rallied for changes to be made to the intersection at the south end of Breen Ave after safety concerns were raised.
The group believed the intersection of Bolitho and Cooma Rds with Breen Ave was unsafe and could do damage to drivers and cyclists or walkers using the newly finished Breen Ave walking trail.
The group met with Cr John Zobec and RoadSafe Goulburn Valley executive officer Bill Winters to discuss changes that could be made, and after consultation with council, changes were made to make the intersection safer for all users.
While the ratepayers’ group was successful in its proposal, another group at the south of our shire has not been as fortunate.
A Colbinabbin community group has been protesting the development of a solar farm in the Heathcote wine region since June due to its 606-hectare size and its location on prime agricultural land.
The proposal made by Venn Energy has been criticised by the group, Campaspe Shire Council, state Member for Murray Plains Peter Walsh, state Members for Northern Victoria Gaelle Broad and Wendy Lovell and state Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland
Time will tell how that debate will pan out; however, one thing is for certain — the community activism showcases the passion of small towns of our region.
Looking ahead, Ms Chiswell enthusiastically said that the coming year promised exciting developments for our town, including enhanced recreational spaces and community facilities.
Council’s place-based plan for Kyabram will continue into the new year, with designs for a revised dog park in Edis Park expected and consultation for a reimagined Jaycee Park under way.
In Rushworth, the Waranga Rail Trail is expected to be completed in March, which will bring passionate cyclists into town for its 11km track to Murchison.
As for the Kyabram Development Group, it will be working towards finding more quality park space for all demographics of people to utilise.
“We found that is a real gap in Kyabram, having park space where the little kids can play over there and the older kids can still be engaged,” Ms Chiswell said.
“We’re working on ways and locations to get that space built for that purpose.”
Top Free Press headlines for Kyabram development
Paw-fect locations sought for dog parks
Campaspe Shire Council announced two dog parks to be developed in Kyabram and Tongala as part of the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure program, part of the 2024/25 budget approved in council’s June meeting.
Council’s master plan for Jaycee Park redesign
In August, Campaspe Shire Council committed to the redevelopment of facilities in Jaycee Park with the announcement of funding and a two-stage master plan and detailed design process.
Breen Ave walking path’s ‘missing link’ has been found
On September 16, Campaspe Shire Council announced the conclusion to construction of the second section of the Breen Ave Dual Walking Trail.
Waranga Rail Trail a ‘puzzle’ about to be solved
In a August council meeting, Rushworth’s Waranga Rail Trail received the final push through an allocation of $404,000 funding.
The project will take cyclists from Rushworth’s High St to Murchison.
Council backs community in fight against solar project
At the December meeting, Campaspe Shire Council came out adamantly against the development of the Cooba Solar Project and has agreed to make a submission to the Victorian Government expressing what it sees as the issues and contradictions with Venn Energy’s planning application for the project.
Cadet Journalist